Chapter 173

• MILLICENT
• The ride back to Silverfang felt like the world had swallowed its own voice. No one said a word. The car's engine hummed softly, Fiona sat beside me in the backseat, and Xander’s hands gripped the wheel like he was forcing himself not to break it.
• The trees blurred past the window, the sky was dull and empty, and I just sat there staring out, my throat hurting from holding everything in. I wanted to cry but couldn’t. My chest hurt like something was stuck there and I couldn’t push it out no matter how hard I tried.